The influence of antopometry on respiratory protection and safety at work

Persons in charge of occupational safety are on the first line of defense when it comes to protecting the health of workers. Given this, the selection of appropriate respiratory protection becomes not only a matter of regulation, but also an essential aspect of a comprehensive protective strategy. In this context, the application of anthropometric data and international standards play a key role in the production of protective masks that can adequately face various challenges in the work environment. Detailed anthropometric studies and their impact The challenge of finding respiratory protection that fits different face shapes and sizes is not new. Until recently, most industry standards for size and design were based on limited anthropometric data that did not fully reflect the diversity of the modern workforce. For more than 50 years, the only anthropometric information available to determine the size of protective masks was measurements taken in the US military during the 1950s and 1960s. Those data were not representative of the modern workforce, given that the research was conducted only on mostly male, military-age, physically healthy respondents. This means that face masks had to fit wearers with similar facial features in order to pass testing, resulting in a large number of approved masks that later did not fit the many people who had to wear them for protection at work. In 2003, scientists Zhiwei Zhuang and Stacey L. Bradtmiller conducted a large-scale anthropometric survey of the US workforce collecting data on 18 facial dimensions (plus height and weight) from 3997 subjects covering a wide range of demographics. The study included 2,543 male participants and 1,454 female participants ranging in age from 18 to 66 and spanning a variety of racial/ethnic groups. This research helped shape the new international standard ISO 16976-2, published in 2015. The ISO standard uses the results of this research, supplemented by additional data from other countries, to determine head models and respirator sizes. The standard specifies head models: small, medium, large, short-wide and long-narrow. Small, medium and large head models are different sizes with similar facial dimensions, while short-wide and long-narrow models are based on different dimensions. But sizing for the short-wide model may provide a better fit than the S or M models for some half mask users. This example is best shown on the JSP Force®8 half-mask, for which another extensive research was carried out on different face sizes and shapes. In two studies, the half-mask was tested on 214 participants using quantitative fit-testing methods using Ambient Particle Counting (APC). The data collected was analyzed and used to evaluate the fit provided by the JSP Force®8 half-mask, guiding product development to ensure a secure fit of the half-mask on different face shapes. The research also contributed to the expanded range of Force®8 respirators now available. The new mask sizes, developed using head models specified in ISO 16976-2 together with collected facial measurement data from JSP, provide a fit for a wider range of face sizes and shapes. The addition of small (S) and large (L) sizes to the Force®8 half mask range has provided a choice for those who find a medium (M) half mask too big or too small for a good fit. The latest short-wide (SW) mask offers an alternative fit for those who cannot achieve a fit with small or medium half-mask sizes. The future of design and continuous innovation Safety at work requires continuous attention and adaptation, and in that process the correct selection of respiratory protection is crucial. The Albo company, as a market leader in the field of personal protective equipment, stands out with its recommendation for JSP Force protective half masks and masks, globally recognized and used on all continents, adapting to every face shape with incomparable precision and reliability. This choice is not only a reflection of quality and reliability, but also a response to the trust shown by users through their positive experiences. Their stories and satisfaction are proof that when we choose the right protection, we choose a safer future for everyone. Albo and JSP strive together to make the workplace safe, where every worker is protected. The Albo company has been taking care of user safety at work for 32 years with an assortment that has a wide selection of equipment, and our colleagues are always available for all consultations and additional information.[:]